Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1887-06-23
ELEcTR1C LIGHT.

ELECTRIC LIGHT.
The ACCESSIBILITY Of Putting in a
Plant Discussed.
An informal meeting of the city coun-
Gil was held last night at the old court
house, for the purpose Of discussing and
considering, with the citizens, the advisa-
bility Of putting in an electric light
plant. The room was we'll filled with
citizens, and the large representation Of
heavy taxpayers was especially notice.
able. The sentiment of the meeting
seemed to be unanimously in favor Of
electric light as means Of illumination,
but at the same time the feeling was
strong that the council should "make
haste slowly" investigate the matter
thoroughly and secure the cheapest and
most desirable method possible. The
fact that to keep abrest of the times and
the neighboring cities it is necessary that
jamestown should take a move seemed
fully appreciated.
The meeting was called to order by
Alderman Watson, who,i the absence of
Mayor Graham, presided. After express
sing regret that more citizens were not
present, Mr.. Watson introduced Mr.. Gill
man, who has just put in the very satis-
factory plant at Bismarck and is the pro-
prietor Of similar properties along the
Northern Pacific and who had PROPOSE
ton to make to the city council of James
town.
After stating the advantages Of the
system, the Thomson & Houston, which
was said to be the one universally adopt
ed in Europe and now coming into gem
eral prominence in the United States,
Mr. Gilman proceeded to make known the
terms upon which he was willing to furn-
ish Jamestown with this desirable illumi-
nation. He proposed to put in plant
costing about $4,000, and furnish both
arc and incandescent lights. The prices
for these to be the same as charged at
Bismarck, which is onsiderably lower
than the same is obtained at in Mime
apolis, st. Paul and many other cities.
He would require the city to take four
arc lights at cost of about 5000 year;
incandescent lights, for residences, stores,
ETC., would be one and a half cents per
hour, arc lights six cents per hour. In re-
turn for this he asked of the city ,as an in
ducement, franchise for twelve years,
with the privilege of remaining in the
city twenty years the last eight years,
however, not being under q franchise.
Expressions of opinion from the citl-
zens were called for. VIM. M. Lloyd felt
very much in favor Of the proposed im-
provement, and would like to see it, but
did not think there was any necessity for
undue haste. He though the matter
should be fully and carefully considered;
that the city now had considerable in
view and should go slow. but that the
electric lights would come In time.
w. E. Greene liked tosee any improve
ment, but thought this was not the time
to make it. Sufficient funds are not now
at hand, and every $500 or $500 should
now be looked after. He thought the
city should have fire protection first, after
that this should receive attention. There
is prospect of obtaining natural gas,and
If that is done he was certain there were
parties I'm the city willing to take fran
chise and put in gas and electric light to-
getheE. The franchise, he thought,shou
be let together.
OH. Hewitt thought that in the first
place there was an objection in granting
q franchise; in the second place that the
prices were too high. He inferred from
Mr.. Gilmans statement that to illuminate
his house brilliantly would cost $75 per
year, while at present it was passably
lighted with coal oil for $15. He gave a
little sketch Of a town in Pennsylvania
where lights were furnished at much less
rate.
Taking the floor again, Mr.. Gilman
stated that half the stock could be taken
by the citizens of jamestown, and that
method had been tried and had SO many
disadvantages as to be considered in the
light of a failure. The rate at which he
was Offering the lights were cheaper than
at any place in Dakota, except Bismarck.
If the citizens were not satisfied on that
point as well as on the general excellence
VI A2S phUCl1V CAOy SOuAO COlAC6tOAN WAGA
eastern cities, and when the letters were
opened he was satisfied they would then
agree with him.
Being late arrival. A. A. Allen had
not heard all the particulars of the propo-
sition, but was in favor of electric light
if the matter could be arranged in the
proper shape. He wanted the best lights
for the least amount OF money.
In response to an enquiry by Judge
Nickeus Mr.. Gilman stated that the plan
would require three tons OF coal day.
Our neighbors are getting ahead of us,
thought Roderick Rose. He was in IA
vor OF such method of lighting the
streets as soon as the city was able to do
SO. He was in favor of water and then
light and would like to see committee
of the council appointed to investigate
the matter. Some steps should be taken
towards lighting the streets. Such inn
would be an inducement to
others to come here. They give town
and he would be pleased, he
said, to see them carried forward. if pos
sible.
Alfred Dickey had just come into the
room when called upon and did not know
the exact nature of the proposition. How
ever, he was strongly in favor of electric
lights, yet he would caution the council
to make haste slowly. He would have
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